Gas prices are at all time high

This was kinda why we did not go this route with our house, we are all electric here and have a well so we could use the extra power if power goes out. But, the problem was it was going to cost 60 grand to keep the elec off from the company. It would have taken a long time to get the money back and we are not young enough to get it back. Plus in the winter it did not work as well with the snow and our lake effect clouds. You would also have to buy 2 months worth of electric from our supplier to keep the rate lower. It was really a no win for us our best bet would be is do small systems to run lights, camper etc.

 

Solar panels & systems are just like any battery you buy for your car, truck, drill motor, ETC ETC .... They are hot full of life when new.. 5 years they are shot.. So now you need new panels back up un the roof you go. R & R the panels now the roof leaks... So now you remove the panels, Tear off the roofing fix the damaged plywood then reroof... Go green,,,Spend more money,,, never ending cycle...

 

My system was installed in 2017. has a 14.7 KW inverter. On grid, no battery back up. was just to much cost for the life span of the batteries. The panels themselves have a 30 yr warranty. My bill went from an average 350-400$ a month down to around 50$ with some months being 0. Id like to get another 10 installed in the near future.

 

To be fair on the solar....
If done correctly the mounting brackets become part of the roof system not to be removed if panel repairs or replacement was necessary. Still would not mount on my House roof, maybe the garage if in the country.

 

If you like putting holes in your roof be my guest.....IDC..... Every penetration in the roof is a potential leak.

 

That's a lot of shade. Thought about trimming those offending trees?

 

Aren’t there hurricane codes/restrictions in Florida prohibiting rooftop solar panels?

 

My Bills are between 200 to 350 per month depending on the season. My 12kw system is costing about 40 grand with battery backup and 15k inverter. My system is going to be similar to yours. 20 panels will be mounted on my garage roof and 12 are going on my shipping container and will be laying flat.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I saw that photo. One person I know bought a house with an older system. It sounded like shade was the enemy, even in small amounts. I'm sure the newer systems have been updated to adapt to a bit of tree shade.

 

So, at an average bill of $275/mo, your looking at 12 years for repayment.. Less any power you can sell back to them..

That's the tough part about solar.. I would love to have it, but that money is going into a race car or program...

I do have my priorities..

JW

 

Solar panels do degrade over time but they are nowhere near shot in a mere 5 years. Depends on the panel (you get what you pay for) but it's more like 20 to 30 years. And even then they still produce, just not as much as new.

If you have asphalt shingles, your roof is full of nail holes. But if you install anything on top of them like a satellite dish or have a vent pipe poking thru, they do make specialty roofing sealant to seal those holes.

 

I posted this in the ev thread interesting to see how it evolves.
https://ionpowergroup.com/how-it-works-on-earth/

 

False.

 

I had mine out for its "been two weeks" drive this morning.

I noticed the gas gauge leaning toward a quarter tank. Thought about buying five bucks worth of gas. In Calunicornia that gets me 0.83 gallons. So I drove back home, short-shifting.

 

With the 25% tax credit I'm looking at a 9 year break even point. Any rate increases from the power company between now and then aren't being factored in though. One of the increases last year was around 13%. I contemplated this for Several years. I'll be happy with 15 years of free electricity once it's paid off.(assuming minimal maintenance is needed) I do definitely see your point though. It will pull money away from my hobbies for a while. I'm on a 4 year payment plan. Payments are pretty high.

 

your right.. I forgot to factor in the increases in future electric rates.. that are coming.. and the tax break helps for sure.

Might well turn out to be a smart investment.. Hope it does.

Let us know how it works out after its up and running.

 

There is a nice system I looked at a few years ago that used solar for heating a hot water tank up. The panels had the ability to collect the sun when the sun is not directly over the panels. This would be a good place to start since it takes a lot of power to heat up hot water. You could use two tanks, one for the solar to warm up the water to a 100 * or so then when it goes to the main hot water tank it will not take much power to heat up the rest of the way.

 

LOL, remember that track that had a coil spring that ran in the center, and you put plastic pins on your Hotwheels or Matchbox car?
I dont remember who made it, I had one tho, it was cheaper than a true slot car track.

 

HAHAHA us humans cant have anything nice, we ruin everything

 

If you'd seen the amount of sealer they placed under every one of those pads it wouldnt concern you. I was sceptical myself. Also its part of the warranty. Now the metal flat roof they walked all over has some leaks where they crushed the ribs flat but not from the mounts.

. Shortly after those pics were taken I went on a tree cutting campaign. Over 60 came down and I was grinding stumps for weeks.